Exam Question

### (a) Lubricating Oil for Ball Bearings (4 Marks)
Routine maintenance on the lubricating oil system for turbocharger ball bearings is critical due to the extremely high rotational speeds (often exceeding 10,000 RPM) and associated temperatures. The objective is to ensure a continuous supply of clean oil at the correct pressure and temperature to lubricate, cool, and clean the high-precision bearings.
**1. Oil Condition Monitoring and System Integrity:**
* **Regular Sampling:** Oil samples should be taken from the system at prescribed intervals (e.g., every 3 months or as per PMS) and sent for laboratory analysis. The analysis checks for viscosity, water content, Total Base Number (TBN), and the presence of metallic particles (wear metals), which indicates bearing health.